Bakery under investigation for refusing wedding cake for same-sex couple

GRESHAM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Justice is investigating a complaint that a bakery in Gresham, Ore., refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex wedding, a possible violation of an Oregon law that prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation.

Aaron Klein

Aaron Klein, owner of Sweet Cakes by Melissa, said he sells cakes to customers of all sexual orientations, but draws the line, however, at wedding cakes for same-sex couples.

The complaint by Laurel Bowman stated that Klein called her and her fiance “abominations unto the Lord,” and said their money wasn’t equal.

Klein denied calling the couple “abominations” or saying their money was unequal, but he acknowledged to The Oregonian newspaper and KATU-TV that he refused them service.

“I believe marriage is a religious institution between a man and woman as stated in the Bible,” Klein said Friday. “When someone tells me that their definition is something different, I strongly disagree. I don’t think I should be penalized for that.”

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Klein and his wife, who opened the bakery five years ago, do not hide their religious beliefs.

The sweet cakes website says they “strongly believe that when a man and women come together to be joined as one, it is [truly] one of the most special days of their lives.”

But Klein said he and his wife want to make it clear that they do not hate homosexuals.

The couple has two weeks to respond to the Oregon Department of Justice’s inquiry into the incident.